FORD VAN POINTERS.
Page 27
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By R. T. Nicholson (Author of "The Book of the Ford").
AN improvement has recently been‘maile in the new model Ford lighting equipment. The oillamps are no more, having been replaced by two electric " torpedo " side lights—one on each front mudguard.
364.—The New Lighting Equipment.
Further, the change from " bright" to "dim " lighting has been modified. When the lighting switeh is set at "bright," the " bright" headlights come on, together with "dim" side lights on the mudguards. When0the switch iseset at " dim," the headlights go out and the side-lightsland tail light continue to glow—both, of course, "dim."
No Ford driver will be sorry to say good-bye to the oil side lamps, which were always bumping out and slopping paraffin. Moreover, placed as they were at either end of the dash, they very doubtfully complied with the requirements of the law—that the full width of the van must be shown by the lighting. The new electric side lights will undoubtedly be acceptable on this score.
New model Ford lighting has now passed through three stages:— .
(1) Electric headlights, with 'two clear bulbs in each lamp—one "bright," one " dim," Electric tail light. Oil side lamps. (2) Electric headlights, with one bulb in each (frosted to obviate glare); but with each bulb containing two separate filaments, a. " bright " and 'a ." dim. Electric tail light. Oil side lamps,. (3) Electric beadlights, with one " bright ' frosted bulb in each. "Dim" electric side lights, always on when the "bright" headlights are on, hot capable of independent" dim" illumination Ivhen headlights are out. Electric tail light, on whenever any of the other lights are on.
365.—Supaphord Auxiliary Gear for the Ford Ton Truck.
The Supaphord gear has already been well tested. as applied to the Ford ear. It has now been made available for the One ton truck. . What is -it? It is a gearbox system which gives the
Fcrd truck, four forward Teeds. Two of these speeds are the Ford " high and " slow " ; two other speeds are provided byithe Supaphord, each 50 per cent. higher than theista.nclard-Ford speeds.
The idea is that the top Ford standard gear is too low when the truck is unloaded err-running light —that the vehicle crawls unnecessarily slowly, the Ford "high" cn the truck being in point of fact made particularly low, so that the engine may nbt be overburdened when the truck is heavily loaded. It is the company's recommendation that speed should never exceed 15 miles.an hour. The wisdom of this recommendation is.evident when it is remembered that at 12 miles an hour the engine on the truck is "revving" about as fast as the engine on a Ford car running 25. miles an hour. It does not do to race any engine to gain road speed.
The makers of the Supaphord do,not suggest'that when heavily loaded the' truck should be regularly driven On any higher gear than .the Ford top," which is also available as a hill-climbing gear for the empty or light-loaded truck. But they do suggest that the truck needs a higher gear for level running with anything but4heavy loads as well as for downhill work. They also claim thal. the "second" speed gives •thirn literallY a big pull on hills too steep for the Ford "high," but only to be climbed at a snail's pace on the Ford "slow." Truck owners will appreciate the fact that there is a lot of Inloaded or light-loaded running to be done, and will'agree that such running is best done on an engine that is not "fussing." The Supaphord eliminates the fuss.
Control of the two new gears is by a central hand lever.
The two standard Ford speeds are controlled and run in their usual way ; the two Supaphord speeds take the drive through a,layshaft. The extra gears run in constant mesh, and the changes are made by means of dog clutches.. Good ateounts are given of the. adaptation, both as regards mechanical advantages and economical running.
Price complete (extra for fitting), £54. A special model is made for the van chassis.
Manufacturers:—The Elm Street Engineering Works, 16, Elm Street, Gray's Inn Road, London, W.C./.